A WOMAN died at the scene of an accident which closed the M1 motorway for more than three-and-a-half hours yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. Police are now appealing for witnesses and information following the crash which happened on the southbound carriagewa

A WOMAN died at the scene of an accident which closed the M1 motorway for more than three-and-a-half hours yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and information following the crash which happened on the southbound carriageway between Junctions 6 (Bricket Wood) and 5 (Watford) at around 4.40pm.

A grey Landrover Freelander is believed to have left the road and struck a fence on the edge of the hard shoulder before landing on its side on a high bank behind the fence.

Ambulance crews from Garston, Hemel Hempstead and Watford went to the scene along with doctor David Gaunt, an accident and emergency consultant from Watford General Hospital. The air ambulance was also sent but not required.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "Three people were treated for serious injuries at the scene, and following this two were conveyed to Watford General Hospital by land ambulances. Sadly, one patient was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor."

Firefighters from St Albans and Garston also attended the scene and helped to release the three people trapped in the car.

The front-seat passenger, a 48-year-old woman from Rickmansworth, died at the scene.

The driver, a 50-year-old man from Rickmansworth, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was released later that day. A 17-year-old boy suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.

Det Con Dee Rayner, from the Road Death Investigation Unit, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a woman has lost her life so it is important for us to establish what has happened."

She added: "This collision occurred in the afternoon when there would have been other vehicles about and we do have some witnesses, but we would like to speak to anyone who saw the Landrover before the collision, during the collision or immediately afterwards. I would strongly urge them to contact me."

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Rayner on 0845 33 00 222.